Can Emotions Capture the Elusive Gain-Loss Framing Effect? A Meta-Analysis

Robin L. Nabi*, Nathan Walter, Neekaan Oshidary, Camille G. Endacott, Jessica Love-Nichols, Z. J. Lew, Alex Aune

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

116 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although recent streams of research have suggested that emotions play a key role in generating framing effects, little is known about the affective dimension of gain and loss framing and its potential impact on persuasion. The current study adopted a meta-analytical approach, synthesizing over 30 years of literature (k = 25, N = 5,772), to investigate this issue. The results indicate that message frame type directs the emotional response elicited in the audience, with gain frames inducing positive emotions (d =.31, p =.02) and loss frames inducing negative emotions (d =.22, p =.001). In turn, the experience of positive emotions enhances the influence of gain frames (b =.18, p =.045), whereas negative emotions augment the effects of loss frames (b = −.70, p =.01). These findings confirm that emotional responses may offer a pathway through which gain- and loss-framed messages exert persuasive influence. The study integrates the results with the emotions-as-frames perspective and proposes several promising avenues for future research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1107-1130
Number of pages24
JournalCommunication Research
Volume47
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2020

Funding

The authors are particularly indebted to Daniel O?Keefe for his invaluable advice and kind support. Likewise, the authors gratefully acknowledge the Editor and three anonymous reviewers for their helpful insights and constructive comments. The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Keywords

  • emotions
  • gain-loss frames
  • message design
  • meta-analysis
  • persuasion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Communication
  • Language and Linguistics
  • Linguistics and Language

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